I’M READY TO TALK INDY WITH NEW PM
»Sturgeon is happy to haggle with opposition »UK leader will ‘hinder’ future of Scotland
NICOLA Sturgeon is ready to sit down with the next Tory prime minister to hammer out a deal over IndyRef2, she has revealed.
The First Minister said she would be willing to enter talks on the detail of the referendum with the new PM in order to secure a vote.
Sturgeon reached out yesterday to the Tory leadership contenders – with former chancellor Rishi Sunak, party favourite Penny Mordaunt and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss the main candidates to replace ousted Boris Johnson.
She made the promise at her Bute House official residence as she launched her government’s case for independence, saying it was the only way to tackle Scotland’s “democratic deficit”.
The First Minister said: “When we had the agreement in principle with David Cameron that we would have a Section 30 order to put beyond doubt the ability of the Scottish Parliament to legislate, we had a negotiation.
“We didn’t get everything we wanted out of that negotiation, nor did David Cameron’s government.
“I have been part of a process where compromise has actually been at its heart. So, in principle, in terms of the detail, I will be open to a negotiation and in any negotiation you have to be prepared to compromise.
“What I will not compromise on is the principle of people in Scotland getting the opportunity to cast their votes and make their views known on independence.”
The First Minister also warned that whoever is the new Tory prime minister will shift “even further to the right”. Sturgeon said this would take Westminster “even further away from the mainstream of Scottish opinion and values”, adding: “We may be just a few days into this Tory leadership contest but it is already crystal clear the issues Scotland is focused on – tackling child poverty, supporting NHS recovery, building a fairer economy and making a just transition to net zero – will be hindered, not helped, by whoever becomes prime minister in the weeks ahead.”
Sturgeon wants an independence referendum in October next year but the UK Government has turned down her request for a joint agreement. The Tories expect to have a new leader in place by early September at the latest – but none of the remaining candidates say they will agree to a legally binding IndyRef2.
Legal uncertainty over Holyrood’s powers led the Lord Advocate – Scotland’s most senior law officer – to refer Sturgeon’s referendum Bill to the UK Supreme Court for a ruling.
At her press conference in Edinburgh, Sturgeon said the 2014 referendum showed there was scope for both sides sitting round the negotiating table to reach agreement on a new independence vote.
Labour last night insisted independence was not the answer to Scotland’s problems.
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said: “Nicola Sturgeon tells Scots they can’t expect a better future without independence – but Scottish Labour are fighting to build a better future here and now.
“Labour can kick the Tories out of office and build a stronger and more democratic UK – and that is what Nicola Sturgeon is most scared of.”
Pamela Nash of the pro-UK group Scotland in Union said: “This announcement was merely a run-out of all the usual grievances aimed at stoking up resentment and division.”